Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday affirmed that the Central government is closely monitoring the aftermath of a deadly cloudburst in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed seven lives and caused extensive damage.
In a post on X, Shah stated, “Spoke with the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the cloudburst in Kathua. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by the local administration, and NDRF teams have also been rushed to the site. Assured of every support from the Modi government. We stand firmly behind our sisters and brothers of J&K.”
Officials reported that the cloudburst, which occurred overnight between Saturday and Sunday, damaged a railway track, the national highway, and the local police station. Flash floods and a landslide in Jodh village trapped six people and washed away connecting roads.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the tragedy, posting on X: “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the devastating rain-triggered landslides in several areas of Kathua. The tragedy is mind-numbing. Briefed Hon’ble Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah Ji on rescue and relief operations by the army, NDRF, SDRF, police & administration.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that police, military, and civil administration teams are actively engaged in rescue operations. “Spoken to SSP Kathua Sh Shobhit Saxena after receiving information about a cloud burst in the Janglote area. Four casualties reported. In addition, damage has occurred to the railway track and the national highway while the police station in Kathua has been affected,” Singh noted on X.
Rescue and relief efforts are being coordinated with assistance from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local administration, ensuring affected residents receive immediate help.